Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, has built a multi-billion 42-bed General Hospital for indigenes of Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area.
The hospital which was handed over to the Anglican Diocese of Ohaji-Egbema to manage was built by the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) with the 13 percent derivation fund to cater to the health needs of the people in the council area.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the hospital’s premises, the Commissioner for Health, Mr. Success Ohayagha, said that the hospital was built to take care of the health needs of people around the area.
Hope Uzodimma
He also stated that the governor, Hope Uzodimma, deemed it wise to hand over the hospital to the church because they have the ‘oil and anointing’ to manage it.
“The management of this kind of project needs someone very humane, truthful, and plain. If this project is left in the hands of serving people, the value would not get to the targeted persons.
The Commissioner said, ” The Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, has decided to pay the salaries of workers for one year and thereafter hand over the responsibility to the Anglican Church.
“After inspecting the hospital, he said he was impressed with the quality facilities he saw in the hospital adding that if it is well managed, it would become a referral centre in the Southeast part of Nigeria.”
Responding, the Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Ohaji-Egbema, Rt. Rev. Chidi Collins Okparaojiaku, expressed joy over Sen. Hope Uzodimma’s kind gestures.
“The governor even promised to pay workers of this hospital for one year and leave it for us. We are really impressed with the governor’s project. It is our promise that it would not die in our hands.
“We have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), we are going to kick- off with a dedication service of the hospital and thereafter, we will recruit workers,” he said.
The Bishop disclosed that the Diocese of Ohaji-Egbema would conduct interviews for those that applied to work in the hospital, assuring that only shortlisted ones would be employed by the hospital.
He urged the youths to protect the facilities and not allow it to go the way of other projects in the area that were vandalised.
Speaking, the traditional ruler, Umuokanne/Abakuru Autonomous Community, His Royal Highness, Eze Matthew Nwokoma, said:
“This is the first time a governor would build such a well-equipped hospital for the oil communities.”
